Transforming Homelessness Through Education, Skill Development &Human Connection
Greetings, my name is Rick and I’m a homeless advocate and educator in Salt Lake City. I spent over a year conducting “man-on-the-street” interviews with people who are currently unsheltered to better understand their needs, struggles, culture & gaps that currently exist in Utah’s response. The causes behind much of their situation traces back to early childhood trauma, abuse, attachment disorders, abandonment, family dysfunction, poor (or no) role-models, poverty, racism, parent-incarceration, anti-social behaviors, run-ins with the law, experimentation with drugs & alcohol, dropping out of school, gang-life, limited coping skills, anxiety, depression, ADHD (or other mental health struggles without adequate medication or intervention). As a result, many turn to drugs to numb the pain—and that only works until it doesn’t. Add prison time for many, job loss, skyrocketing rent, medical bills, divorce, family estrangement/relationship issues which exacerbates their low self-esteem, intensifies guilt & shame, as well as the ongoing marginationalization they feel from society & those in control. As a result, most feel like they are stuck at the bottom with little chance of getting out, and unfortunately, the problem is only getting worse.
This site has three audiences in mind: (1) the public—after learning more about their situation, will hopefully see and interact with greater compassion, patience & understanding (2) community leaders & policymakerswho need to see more fully what is happening at the ground level and (3) people experiencing homelessness and connecting them with practical education, community resources, and opportunities for learning & growth. Regardless of circumstances, many of us still need to learn life-skills, emotion-regulation, holistic healing principles, self-compassion, trauma recovery, 12-step principles, and embrace strength-based counseling.
This site is a call-to-action to: 1) create greater public awareness & political dialogue 2) encourage people to donate needed supplies and get involved and 3) locate venues throughout the valley to host free lifestyle classes. Please join me in this fight to save, bless, and change lives.
